On August 7, 2024 Biodesix, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSX), a leading diagnostic solutions company, reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, Biodesix, AUG 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234645491]).

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"The second quarter marks sustained excellence in our execution, resulting in outstanding revenue growth coupled with consistently strong gross margins, and continued improvement on our path to profitability," said Scott Hutton, CEO of Biodesix. "The team’s performance led to 51% growth in revenue and as a result we are raising our 2024 total revenue guidance to $70-$72 million, up from previously provided guidance of $65-$68 million. In combination with our revenue growth, our cost-disciplined approach resulted in improvements of 19% in Net Loss and 38% in Adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating progress on our path to profitability."

"It is important to note that our industry-leading commercial engine is continuing to drive market adoption of our five on-market lung diagnostic tests. These tests are transforming the diagnosis and treatment of patients with lung cancer. We have an incredible team of professionals dedicated and driven to making a difference in patients’ lives. I continue to be thankful for the team and our intentional focus on workplace culture so that we attract and retain the best talent."

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 Business Highlights

•
Named to Inc. Magazine’s 2024 Best Workplaces list. The ranking is based on a comprehensive, data- driven measurement process through anonymous employee surveys to identify which American companies have excelled in creating high-engagement workplaces and excellent company cultures.
•
Grew Lung Diagnostic test volume to 13,900, a 42% improvement over the second quarter of 2023 and 17% over the first quarter of 2024.
•
Quarterly gross profit margin of 78.4% versus 72.7% for the second quarter of 2023 and 78.6% for the first quarter of 2024.
•
Presented compelling new data1 at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Conference, May 2024, that highlighted the Nodify XL2 test and its ability to identify benign nodules in patients with emphysema, demonstrating further test utility in patients with common comorbidities.

•
Peer-reviewed data was published in June in the Annals of Oncology2 that highlight the role of Biodesix diagnostic services in monitoring efficacy of new therapeutic regimens.

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 Financial Highlights

•
Total revenue of $17.9 million, an increase of 51% over the second quarter 2023. This results in now eight consecutive quarters of over 40% revenue growth and is driven by strong year-over-year growth in both lines of business:
o
Lung Diagnostic revenue of $16.5 million reflected a year-over-year increase of 44% driven primarily by the continued adoption of Nodify Lung nodule risk assessment tests;
o
Biopharmaceutical Services of $1.4 million increased 228% year-over-year, a result of both delivering against the Company’s book of contracted business and securing new agreements;
•
Second quarter 2024 gross profit of $14.0 million, or 78.4% gross margin compared to 72.7% gross margin in the comparable prior year period, primarily driven by growth in Lung Diagnostic testing and optimization of testing workflows that resulted in improvements in costs per test, and increased process efficiencies in the Company’s Biopharmaceutical Services business;
•
Operating expenses (excluding direct costs and expenses) of $22.3 million, an increase of approximately $2.7 million, or 14% as compared to the second quarter 2023 (includes $2.7 million of non-cash stock compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, and asset impairment as compared to $1.9 million). This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in sales and marketing costs to support lung diagnostic sales growth to enhance product awareness and drive adoption, an increase in depreciation expense related to the leasehold improvements in the Company’s new Louisville, Colorado offices and laboratory, partially offset by a decrease in research and development and general and administrative costs;
•
Net loss of $10.8 million, an improvement of approximately $2.5 million, or 19% as compared to the same period of 2023. Net loss included $0.6 million of one-time cash and non-cash Other Expenses, net primarily related to our probability of not utilizing the Lincoln Park Capital Equity Line of Credit prior to expiration and costs associated with debt-extinguishment;
•
Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $5.6 million, an improvement of $3.5 million, or 38% over the second quarter of 2023 and fifth straight quarter of year-over-year improvement in Adjusted EBITDA;
•
Cash and cash equivalents of $42.2 million as of June 30, 2024, an increase of $30.7 million from March 31, 2024;
o
Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2024, includes $55.0 million in gross proceeds raised from an oversubscribed and upsized offering of common stock and concurrent private placement completed on April 5, 2024.
o
Includes the second quarter scheduled milestone payment of $5.3 million and pre-payment of the third quarter $8.4 million scheduled milestone payment paid in April 2024 for the acquisition of Integrated Diagnostics in 2018. The pre-payment of the third quarter milestone resulted in cash savings from interest that was eliminated by the pre-payment. The Company has one final payment of $6.1 million remaining, which does not accrue interest and is expected to be paid at the end of the third quarter 2024.

2024 Financial Outlook

The Company is increasing its 2024 revenue forecast and now expects to generate between $70 million and $72 million in total revenue in 2024, versus prior guidance of $65 million and $68 million in total revenue in 2024.

Conference call and webcast information

Listeners can register for the webcast via this link. Analysts who wish to participate in the question-and-answer session should use this link. A replay of the webcast will be available via the Company’s investor relations page on the website approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion. Participants are advised to join 15 minutes prior to the start time.

For a full list of Biodesix press releases and webinars, please visit biodesix.com.

On August 7, 2024 BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global oncology company, reported results from the second quarter 2024 and corporate updates that strengthen the Company for future global growth (Press release, BeiGene, AUG 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234645490]).

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"This was a tremendous second quarter and an inflection point as BeiGene achieved positive non-GAAP operating income with rapidly increasing global revenues and continued financial discipline. Having now reached this milestone, we will further build on our differentiated, strategic capabilities as a leading, global oncology innovator," said John V. Oyler, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of BeiGene. "BRUKINSA is emerging as the BTKi class leader in the U.S. in new patient starts across all approved indications, demonstrating the strength of its clinical efficacy and safety data, and is the only BTKi to demonstrate superior efficacy versus ibrutinib in a head-to-head trial. With our leadership in hematology, we are working to expand into other highly prevalent cancer types, backed by one of the largest oncology research teams in the industry. With our continued growth in established biopharmaceutical hubs such as New Jersey and Switzerland, we are better positioned to reach even more patients with our innovative medicines."
Financial Highlights
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except percentages) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Net product revenues $ 921,146 $ 553,745 66 % $ 1,668,064 $ 964,036 73 %
Net revenue from collaborations $ 8,020 $ 41,516 (81) % $ 12,754 $ 79,026 (84) %
Total Revenue $ 929,166 $ 595,261 56 % $ 1,680,818 $ 1,043,062 61 %
GAAP loss from operations $ (107,161) $ (318,715) (66) % $ (368,509) $ (689,973) (47) %
Adjusted income(loss) from operations* $ 48,464 $ (193,051) 125 % $ (98,877) $ (468,910) (79) %

* For an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures refer to the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section later in this press release and for a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP measures, see the table at the end of this press release.
Key Business Updates
BRUKINSA (zanubrutinib)

•U.S. sales of BRUKINSA totaled $479 million in the second quarter of 2024, representing growth of 114% over the prior-year period, with more than 60% of the quarter over quarter demand growth coming from expanded use in CLL as BRUKINSA continued to gain share in CLL new patient starts; BRUKINSA sales in Europe totaled $81 million in the second quarter of 2024, representing growth of 209%, driven by increased market share across all major markets, including Germany, Italy, Spain, France and the UK;

•Presented data from Arm D of the Phase 3 SEQUOIA trial evaluating BRUKINSA in combination with venetoclax in treatment-naïve (TN) patients with high-risk CLL and/or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with del(17p) and/or TP53 mutation as an oral presentation at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2024 Hybrid Congress; preliminary data demonstrated an overall response rate of 100% in 65 response-evaluable patients and a rate of complete response (CR) plus CR with incomplete hematopoietic recovery (CRi) of 48%; and

•Presented new analyses highlighting improved progression free survival and response rates and a low usage of antihypertensive medicines for patients treated with BRUKINSA compared to other Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) used to treat CLL/SLL, including acalabrutinib and ibrutinib at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper).

TEVIMBRA (tislelizumab)

•Sales of tislelizumab totaled $158 million in the second quarter of 2024, representing growth of 6% compared to the prior-year period;
•Presented new data from the Phase 3 RATIONALE-306 study evaluating TEVIMBRA plus chemotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper); and
•Received an update that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deferred approval for tislelizumab in first-line unresectable, recurrent, locally advanced, or metastatic ESCC with a target PDUFA action date of July 2024 on account of a delay in scheduling clinical site inspections.

Key Pipeline Highlights

Hematology

Sonrotoclax (BCL2 inhibitor)

•More than 1,000 patients enrolled to date across the program;

•Completed enrollment in global Phase 2 trial in R/R mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and continued enrollment in global Phase 2 trial in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) and China-only Phase 2 trial in R/R CLL, all with registrational intent, as well as continued enrollment in global Phase 3 CELESTIAL trial in combination with BRUKINSA in TN CLL;
•At EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2024, presented data highlighting deep and durable responses with tolerable safety profile in Phase 1 studies in combination with BRUKINSA in R/R CLL/SLL and R/R MCL as well as results of additional Phase 1 trials demonstrating encouraging response rates, durable responses and manageable safety profiles as monotherapy in R/R WM, in combination with azacitidine in both TN and R/R acute myeloid leukemia, and in combination with dexamethasone in R/R multiple myeloma harboring translocation (11;14);
•Received FDA fast track designation for R/R WM; and
•Anticipating first subjects enrolled in Phase 3 programs in R/R CLL and R/R MCL in the fourth quarter of 2024 or first quarter of 2025.

BGB-16673 (BTK CDAC)

•More than 300 patients enrolled to date across the program; continued to enroll potentially registration enabling expansion cohorts in R/R MCL and R/R CLL; and
•At EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2024, presented data highlighting promising preliminary efficacy and safety in patients with R/R CLL/SLL; anticipating first subject enrolled in Phase 3 program in fourth quarter of 2024 or first quarter of 2025.
Solid Tumors

Lung Cancer

•Multiple randomized tislelizumab lung cancer combination cohorts with BGB-A445 (anti-OX40), LBL-007 (anti-LAG3) and BGB-15025 (HPK1 inhibitor) expected to read out in 2024;
•BGB-C354 (B7H3 ADC): Initiated dose escalation for the Company’s first internally developed ADC;

•BGB-R046 (IL-15 prodrug): Initiated dose escalation; this is a cytokine prodrug, leveraging protease-dependent release of active IL-15 in the tumor microenvironment and eliciting anti-tumor activity by promoting T and natural killer (NK) cell expansion; and
•Pan-KRAS, MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitors and EGFR CDAC targeted protein degrader on track to enter the clinic in the second half of 2024.
Breast and Gynecologic Cancers
•BGB-43395 (CDK4 inhibitor): Continued dose escalation in monotherapy and in combination with fulvestrant and letrozole in the anticipated efficacious dose range with no dose limiting toxicities observed; more than 60 patients enrolled to date across the program; potential to share first readout of Phase 1 data in the fourth quarter of 2024; and
•BG-68501 (CDK2 inhibitor) and BG-C9074 (B7H4 ADC): Continued monotherapy dose escalation, with pharmacokinetics as expected and no dose limiting toxicities observed.
Gastrointestinal Cancers
•Tislelizumab combination cohorts with LBL-007 (anti-LAG3) in ESCC reading out in 2024;
•BLA accepted by the NMPA for zanidatamab for the treatment of second-line biliary tract cancer; and
•CEA ADC, FGFR2b ADC and GPC3x4-1BB bispecific antibody on track to enter the clinic in the second half of 2024.
Immunology & Inflammation
•Initiated clinical development of BGB-43035 (IRAK4 CDAC) with potential to induce deeper and faster IRAK4 degradation with stronger cytokine inhibition than competitors; this is the second targeted degrader from the Company’s proprietary CDAC platform.
Corporate Updates
•Opened flagship U.S. biologics manufacturing facility and clinical R&D center at the Princeton West Innovation Campus in Hopewell, N.J.; the facility includes 400,000 square feet of dedicated manufacturing space; and
•Announced intent to change jurisdiction of incorporation from the Cayman Islands to Basel, Switzerland, enabling the Company to deepen its roots in a global biopharmaceutical hub as it further executes on its global growth strategy to reach more patients around the world with its innovative medicines; this redomiciliation is subject to shareholder approval.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $929 million, compared to $595 million in the same period of 2023, driven primarily by growth in BRUKINSA product sales in the U.S. and Europe of 114% and 209% respectively.
Product Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $921 million, compared to $554 million in the same period of 2023, representing an increase of 66%. The increase in product revenue was primarily attributable to increased sales of BRUKINSA. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the U.S. was the Company’s largest market, with product revenue of $479 million, compared to $224 million in the prior year period. In addition to BRUKINSA revenue growth, product revenues were positively impacted by sales of in-licensed products from Amgen in China and tislelizumab.
Gross Margin as a percentage of global product revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was 85%, compared to 83% in the prior-year period. The gross margin percentage increased primarily due to proportionally higher sales mix of global BRUKINSA compared to other products in the portfolio.
Operating Expenses
The following table summarizes operating expenses for the second quarter 2024 and 2023, respectively:
GAAP Non-GAAP
(in thousands, except percentages) Q2 2024 Q2 2023 % Change Q2 2024 Q2 2023 % Change
Research and development $ 454,466 $ 422,764 7 % $ 382,509 $ 363,735 5 %
Selling, general and administrative $ 443,729 $ 395,034 12 % $ 363,922 $ 331,607 10 %
Amortization $ — $ 188 (100) % $ — $ — NM
Total operating expenses $ 898,195 $ 817,986 10 % $ 746,431 $ 695,342 7 %

The following table summarizes operating expenses for the first half 2024 and 2023, respectively:
GAAP Non-GAAP
(in thousands, except percentages) Q2 YTD 2024 Q2 YTD 2023 % Change Q2 YTD 2024 Q2 YTD 2023 % Change
Research and development $ 915,104 $ 831,348 10 % $ 787,949 $ 725,431 9 %
Selling, general and administrative $ 871,156 $ 723,533 20 % $ 736,068 $ 614,761 20 %
Amortization $ — $ 375 (100) % $ — $ — NM
Total operating expenses $ 1,786,260 $ 1,555,256 15 % $ 1,524,017 $ 1,340,192 14 %

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses increased for the second quarter of 2024 compared to the prior-year period on both a GAAP and adjusted basis primarily due to advancing preclinical programs into the clinic and early clinical programs into late stage. Upfront fees and milestone payments related to in-process R&D for in-licensed assets totaled $12 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to nil in the prior-year period.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses increased for the second quarter of 2024 compared to the prior-year period on both a GAAP and adjusted basis due to continued investment in the global commercial launch of BRUKINSA, primarily in the U.S. and Europe. SG&A expenses as a percentage of product sales were 48% for the second quarter of 2024 compared to 71% in the prior year period.

Income (Loss) from Operations in the second quarter of 2024 operating loss decreased 66% on a GAAP basis. On an adjusted basis, we achieved operating income of $48 million. The decrease in GAAP operating loss and achievement of profitability on an adjusted basis is a key strategic goal and the result of tremendous efforts to drive growth while maintaining investment discipline.

GAAP Net Loss improved for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to the prior-year period, as our product revenue growth and management of expenses is driving increased operating leverage.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, net loss per share were $(0.09) and $(1.15) per American Depositary Share (ADS), compared to $(0.28) per share and $(3.64) per ADS in the prior year period.

Cash Used in Operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, totaled $96 million compared to $294 million in the prior-year period, driven by improved operating leverage.

For further details on BeiGene’s Second Quarter 2024 Financial Statements, please see BeiGene’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2024 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

On August 7, 2024 Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRA), a leader in T-cell immunotherapy, leveraging its novel allogeneic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) T-cell platform to develop transformative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that Pascal Touchon, President and Chief Executive Officer and Cokey Nguyen, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific & Technical Officer, will participate at the Canaccord Genuity 44th Annual Growth Conference on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PDT / 11:30 a.m. EDT (Press release, Atara Biotherapeutics, AUG 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234645489]).

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available by visiting the Investors and Media section of atarabio.com. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for 30 days following the live presentation.

On August 7, 2024 Applied Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APLT) (the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates against validated molecular targets in indications of high unmet medical need, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, Applied Therapeutics, AUG 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234645488]).

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"Momentum continues with our steady regulatory progress in Classic Galactosemia and SORD Deficiency," said Shoshana Shendelman, PhD, Founder and CEO of Applied Therapeutics. "We are incredibly pleased to share our alignment with the Neurology Division of the FDA regarding a potential second NDA submission for govorestat for the treatment of SORD Deficiency. Both Galactosemia and SORD Deficiency are rare neurological diseases with no currently approved treatment options. At Applied, we are dedicated to creating transformative treatments for rare diseases, and we continue to work closely with regulatory agencies and patient advocacy groups to ensure that treatments become available for patients with these debilitating diseases."

Recent Highlights

· Govorestat PDUFA Target Action Date of November 28, 2024; MAA under CHMP Review by EMA; Updated Cognition Data Included in Review. In the process of preparing for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection, it was discovered that the vendor hired to compile NIH Toolbox data for the Company used an adult formula for calculation of about one third of composite cognition and motor skills scores. Adjusting the formula to the pediatric formula resulted in significantly improved data for cognition as compared to the prior data, demonstrating improvement in the govorestat (AT-007) treated group of approximately 8 points on a standard scale, which was statistically significant compared to placebo (p=0.032). This also resulted in a statistically significant effect on the primary endpoint sensitivity analysis which included cognition (p=0.034). The motor skills data did not change substantially. These updates were disclosed and discussed with the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) and will be used in the ongoing evaluation of the New Drug Application (NDA) and Marketing Authorization Application (MAA). As previously announced, the FDA Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is November 28, 2024. Govorestat was previously granted Pediatric Rare Disease designation and will qualify for a Priority Review Voucher (PRV) upon approval. The Company has also submitted a MAA for govorestat for the treatment of Classic Galactosemia to the EMA, which was validated in December 2023 and is under review by the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). As previously announced, in April 2024, the EMA granted a 3-month extension to the Day 120 clock stop period to allow sufficient time for responses to the CHMP’s Day 120 list of questions. The Company expects a decision by the EMA early in the first quarter of 2025. The NDA and MAA submission packages are supported by rapid and sustained reduction in galactitol, which resulted in a meaningful benefit on clinical outcomes across pediatric patients, alongside a favorable safety profile. The submission packages include clinical outcomes data from the Phase 3 registrational ACTION-Galactosemia Kids study in children aged 2-17 with Galactosemia, the Phase 1/2 ACTION-Galactosemia study in adult patients with Galactosemia, and preclinical data. If approved, govorestat would be the first medication indicated for the treatment of Galactosemia and would be Applied Therapeutics’ first commercial product.

· FDA Advisory Committee Meeting to Review Govorestat NDA for the Treatment of Classic Galactosemia Tentatively Scheduled for October 9, 2024. The FDA notified the Company of their tentative plans to convene the Genetic Metabolic Diseases Advisory Committee (GeMDAC) on October 9, 2024, to discuss the Company’s NDA for govorestat for the treatment of Classic Galactosemia. The date is tentative and has not yet been confirmed in the federal register. The newly formed GeMDAC will consist of experts in the fields of medical genetics, inborn errors of metabolism, epidemiology, and other related specialties.

· Company Aligned with the Neurology I Division of the FDA on Potential Submission of an NDA for Govorestat for the Treatment of SORD Deficiency Under Accelerated Approval. In July 2024, the Company held a Type C meeting with the FDA to align on the regulatory path forward for govorestat for the treatment of SORD Deficiency. The Neurology I Division confirmed that the data generated to-date was appropriate for a potential NDA submission under the FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program, and discussed the design of a new confirmatory study to be completed as a post-marketing requirement. The Company plans to hold a pre-NDA meeting to discuss administrative aspects of the submission in the second half of this year, and expects to submit an NDA early in the first quarter of 2025. If govorestat is approved for the treatment of Classic Galactosemia, the regulatory submission for the treatment of SORD will be submitted as a supplementary New Drug Application (sNDA). Patients in the INSPIRE study will be offered open-label govorestat treatment and will be followed for additional safety data generation. The review and potential approval of govorestat for SORD is independent of the ongoing review of govorestat for Classic Galactosemia.

· APLT Added to Russell 3000 Index. In June 2024, as part of the Russell indexes annual reconstitution, the Company was added to the Russell 3000 Index, a market capitalization-weighted equity index that tracks the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. stocks. Membership of the Russell indexes is primarily determined by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes. Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for active investment strategies.

· Participated in Multiple Medical and Patient Advocacy Group Focused Conferences. In the second and third quarters of 2024, the Company deepened its relationships and partnership with the patient community, presenting data and giving keynote addresses at the following medical meetings and patient advocacy group conferences:

o Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF) Charcot-Marie Tooth Syndrome (CMT) Summit, June 7-8 in San Diego, California;
o Charcot-Marie-Tooth Associate (CMTA) Strategy to Accelerate Research (STAR) Advisory Board meeting held June 21 in Montreal, Canada;
o Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) 2024 Annual Meeting, held June 22-25 in Montreal, Canada;
o Sponsored and presented at the 2024 Galactosemia Foundation Conference, held July 18-20 in Concord, North Carolina.

Financial Results

· Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $122.2 million as of June 30, 2024, compared with $49.9 million at December 31, 2023.

· Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024, were $10.0 million, compared to $11.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease of approximately $1.9 million was primarily related to decreased expenses associated with clinical and pre-clinical expenses for the near completion of AT-001 and AT-007 and drug manufacturing and formulation costs, partially offset by an increase in regulatory and personnel expenses.

· General and administrative expenses were $10.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase of approximately $5.3 million was primarily related to an increase in legal and professional fees of $1.3 million, an increase in commercial expenses to support planned commercialization of govorestat of $3.5 million, and an increase in personnel expenses of $1.1 million due to increased headcount and salary increases, offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation, insurance expenses and other miscellaneous expense.

·
Net income for the second quarter of 2024 was $2.9 million, or $0.02 per basic common share and a net loss of $0.13 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $29.6 million, or $0.37 per basic and diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2023.

· Cash runway: The Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents will fund the business into 2026. Additionally, the Company expects that the sale of the priority review voucher (PRV), which would be granted upon a potential NDA approval of govorestat for the treatment of Galactosemia, could substantially extend the Company’s cash runway.

On August 7, 2024 Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of allogeneic CAR T (AlloCAR T) products for cancer and autoimmune disease, reported corporate updates and announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, Allogene, AUG 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234645487]).

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"The second quarter has been an excellent example of the power of momentum, particularly as we bring into the fold community cancer centers who are eager to be a part of our pivotal Phase 2 ALPHA3 trial and we are now manufacturing all of our CAR T investigational products in-house," said David Chang, M.D., Ph.D., President, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Allogene. "Beyond the progress we’ve seen across our four core programs with cema-cel in blood cancers, ALLO-329 in autoimmune disease, and ALLO-316 in relapsed and refractory renal cell carcinoma, there is renewed energy from investigators, clinical trial sites, and top-tier investors as it becomes increasingly apparent that we have the potential to reshape the future of CAR T therapies."

Program Updates

Cema-Cel: Pivotal ALPHA3 1L Consolidation Trial in Large B Cell Lymphoma (LBCL)
The pivotal Phase 2 ALPHA3 trial was initiated in June 2024 and site activation is ahead of schedule with ten community cancer and academic centers opened in less than two months. Patient screening for minimal residual disease (MRD) and enrollment are proceeding as planned.

This groundbreaking study is evaluating the use of cemacabtagene ansegedleucel (cema-cel) as part of the first line (1L) treatment regimen for patients with LBCL who are likely to relapse after standard 1L treatment. ALPHA3 is the first pivotal trial to offer CAR T as part of 1L treatment consolidation.

This innovative ALPHA3 trial will identify patients at high risk for relapse after 1L treatment by utilizing the Foresight CLARITY Investigational Use Only (IUO) MRD test, powered by PhasED-Seq. This randomized trial will enroll approximately 240 patients and is designed to demonstrate a meaningful improvement in event free survival (EFS) in patients treated with cema-cel relative to patients who receive the current standard of care (observation). ALPHA3 is expected to complete enrollment in 1H 2026. Efficacy analyses are expected to occur in 2026 and will include an interim EFS analysis monitored by the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) in 1H 2026 and the data readout of the primary EFS analysis YE 2026. A potential biologics license application (BLA) submission is targeted for 2027.

Cema-Cel: Phase 1 Trial in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Enrollment is ongoing in the relapsed/refractory (r/r) CLL cohort of the Phase 1 ALPHA2 trial of cema-cel. Initial data readout from the CLL cohort is projected by early 2025.

ALLO-329: CD19/CD70 Dual CAR with Dagger Technology in Autoimmune Disease (AID)
ALLO-329, the Company’s first CRISPR-based AlloCAR T investigational product for AID, incorporates the Dagger technology, which is intended to reduce or eliminate the need for lymphodepletion while targeting CD19+ B-cells and CD70+ activated T-cells, both of which are likely to play a role in AID. The Company plans to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in Q1 2025 and expects to have proof-of-concept by YE 2025.

ALLO-316: TRAVERSE Trial in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
A Phase 1 data update from approximately 20 patients with CD70 positive RCC, which will include details on the diagnostic and treatment algorithm used to mitigate treatment-associated hyperinflammatory response seen in some patients, is planned by YE 2024. In April 2024, the Company announced a $15 million award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to support the ongoing TRAVERSE trial with ALLO-316 in RCC.

2024 Second Quarter Financial Results
•Research and development expenses were $50.4 million for the second quarter of 2024, which includes $5.3 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
•General and administrative expenses were $16.1 million for the second quarter of 2024, which includes $8.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
•Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $66.4 million, or $0.35 per share, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $13.6 million and $5.0 million in non-cash impairment of long-lived asset expense.
•The Company had $444.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of June 30, 2024.

Based on the cash runway as of June 30, 2024, the Company continues to expect its cash runway to fund operations into the second half of 2026. Guidance remains unchanged from the most recent update with an expectation of a decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and investments of approximately $200 million in 2024. GAAP Operating Expenses are expected to be approximately $300 million, including estimated non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $60 million. These estimates exclude any impact from potential business development activities.

Conference Call and Webcast Details
Allogene will host a live conference call and webcast today at 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET to discuss financial results and provide a business update. If you would like the option to ask a question on the conference call, please use this link to register. Upon registering for the conference call, you will receive a personal PIN to access the call, which will identify you as the participant and allow you the option to ask a question. The listen-only webcast will be made available on the Company’s website at www.allogene.com under the Investors tab in the News and Events section. Following the live audio webcast, a replay will be available on the Company’s website for approximately 30 days.